Three bowlers at 2016 OC celebrate five decades of participation
May 17, 2016
By Matt Cannizzaro and Jessica Gilgor
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Dedicated.
That would be the best word to describe the competitors at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, who have helped the tournament grow from a four-day event with 41 teams into the world's largest participatory sporting event, now celebrating 113 years of history and tradition.
This year, nearly 5,000 active bowlers are listed on the participation wall for logging 25 or more years on the tournament lanes, and three were recognized for the ultimate milestone Monday as they each marched down Center Aisle for the 50th time.
Teammates Edward Gronski of Mulkeytown, Illinois, and William Pavlik of Palos Heights, Illinois, have made the journey to 50 together, and Pavlik followed his friend into the 50-Year Club before the early team event Monday at the National Bowling Stadium.
Ken Kasprzak of Loudon, Tennessee, had the spotlight to himself before the late team event.
It was Gronski who invited Pavlik to join him for the 1967 USBC Open Championships in Miami, and they haven't missed the annual event since.
"I called him up and asked if he wanted to go down to Miami and bowl," said Gronski, a 73-year-old right-hander. "Some of the older guys in our area had said 'Oh, you have to go bowl the ABC.' So, we did."
But, like many bowlers wandering wide-eyed into the custom tournament venue for the first time, the two likely weren't even yet thinking about returning for the 1968 event in Cincinnati, let alone imagining the four-story escalator ride to the lanes at the NBS five decades later.
"And here we are 49 years later," added Pavlik, a 70-year-old left-hander. "I never thought after my first that I would do 49 more, especially with the same guy."
While both men have suffered medical setbacks throughout their journey to 50 years at the Open Championships, they credit their team captain, Richard Gareis, with getting them to the milestone.
This year, Gareis, and team member Bob Micetic, both reached 45 years of participation, so there's another double-milestone on the horizon.
"Getting to 50 was always the benchmark," Gronski said. "I haven't bowled another tournament outside the Open Championships in several years, and our captain has been pushing us both to make sure we got to 50."
For Kasprzak, the tournament was a family affair, and he made his debut at the 1963 Open Championships in Buffalo, New York, with his father by his side. Later, it was friendship that made the event an annual destination for Kasprzak.
"I was 18 years old, and I wasn't allowed to drive yet," said Kasprzak, a 71-year-old right-hander. "It was scary. I showed up early and watched some of the professionals at the time shoot 1,300 in doubles. It was intimidating."
Kasprzak found camaraderie and some friendly competition in bowling with his teammate, Bill Hohensee of Lexington, Kentucky, who celebrated his 54th Open Championships appearance this year in Reno.
"I started bowling against Bill when I was 14 years old, and we bowled against each other on TV when we were 16, and he beat me," said Kasprzak, who regularly bowls at Strike & Spare Family Bowl in Knoxville, Tennessee. "When we hit the adult leagues, he asked me to join his team."
In addition to Hohensee, Kasprzak has shared his time on the lanes with George Barnes of Buffalo, New York, who also celebrated his 54th Open Championships appearance this week. Kasprzak credits both with his longevity on the lanes.
"Without Bill and George, I don't think I would have continued," Kasprzak said. "But it was always a reunion. We would go to dinner and catch up. It was fun."
While his 50th tournament appearance still is fresh, Kasprzak already has his sights set on his next milestone, the 100,000-Pin Club.
"I'm going to try to keep coming back," Kasprzak said. "I have to get 100,000 pins, and at the rate I'm going, I have to bowl another 30 years, it seems. But, it would be nice to get the crystal pin."
Kasprzak finished his 2016 tournament campaign with a 535 series in singles, 528 in team and 488 in doubles for a 1,551 all-events total. In 50 appearances, he has knocked down 82,610 pins for a career average of 183.5.
Gronski rolled sets of 553 in singles, 541 in doubles and 528 in team at the NBS this week and increased his career pinfall to 83,111, while Pavlik shot 428 in singles, 401 in doubles and 391 in team, finishing his 50th appearance with a career pinfall total of 77,897.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Dedicated.
That would be the best word to describe the competitors at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, who have helped the tournament grow from a four-day event with 41 teams into the world's largest participatory sporting event, now celebrating 113 years of history and tradition.
This year, nearly 5,000 active bowlers are listed on the participation wall for logging 25 or more years on the tournament lanes, and three were recognized for the ultimate milestone Monday as they each marched down Center Aisle for the 50th time.
Teammates Edward Gronski of Mulkeytown, Illinois, and William Pavlik of Palos Heights, Illinois, have made the journey to 50 together, and Pavlik followed his friend into the 50-Year Club before the early team event Monday at the National Bowling Stadium.
Ken Kasprzak of Loudon, Tennessee, had the spotlight to himself before the late team event.
It was Gronski who invited Pavlik to join him for the 1967 USBC Open Championships in Miami, and they haven't missed the annual event since."I called him up and asked if he wanted to go down to Miami and bowl," said Gronski, a 73-year-old right-hander. "Some of the older guys in our area had said 'Oh, you have to go bowl the ABC.' So, we did."
But, like many bowlers wandering wide-eyed into the custom tournament venue for the first time, the two likely weren't even yet thinking about returning for the 1968 event in Cincinnati, let alone imagining the four-story escalator ride to the lanes at the NBS five decades later.
"And here we are 49 years later," added Pavlik, a 70-year-old left-hander. "I never thought after my first that I would do 49 more, especially with the same guy."
While both men have suffered medical setbacks throughout their journey to 50 years at the Open Championships, they credit their team captain, Richard Gareis, with getting them to the milestone.
This year, Gareis, and team member Bob Micetic, both reached 45 years of participation, so there's another double-milestone on the horizon.
"Getting to 50 was always the benchmark," Gronski said. "I haven't bowled another tournament outside the Open Championships in several years, and our captain has been pushing us both to make sure we got to 50."
For Kasprzak, the tournament was a family affair, and he made his debut at the 1963 Open Championships in Buffalo, New York, with his father by his side. Later, it was friendship that made the event an annual destination for Kasprzak.
"I was 18 years old, and I wasn't allowed to drive yet," said Kasprzak, a 71-year-old right-hander. "It was scary. I showed up early and watched some of the professionals at the time shoot 1,300 in doubles. It was intimidating."
Kasprzak found camaraderie and some friendly competition in bowling with his teammate, Bill Hohensee of Lexington, Kentucky, who celebrated his 54th Open Championships appearance this year in Reno."I started bowling against Bill when I was 14 years old, and we bowled against each other on TV when we were 16, and he beat me," said Kasprzak, who regularly bowls at Strike & Spare Family Bowl in Knoxville, Tennessee. "When we hit the adult leagues, he asked me to join his team."
In addition to Hohensee, Kasprzak has shared his time on the lanes with George Barnes of Buffalo, New York, who also celebrated his 54th Open Championships appearance this week. Kasprzak credits both with his longevity on the lanes.
"Without Bill and George, I don't think I would have continued," Kasprzak said. "But it was always a reunion. We would go to dinner and catch up. It was fun."
While his 50th tournament appearance still is fresh, Kasprzak already has his sights set on his next milestone, the 100,000-Pin Club.
"I'm going to try to keep coming back," Kasprzak said. "I have to get 100,000 pins, and at the rate I'm going, I have to bowl another 30 years, it seems. But, it would be nice to get the crystal pin."
Kasprzak finished his 2016 tournament campaign with a 535 series in singles, 528 in team and 488 in doubles for a 1,551 all-events total. In 50 appearances, he has knocked down 82,610 pins for a career average of 183.5.
Gronski rolled sets of 553 in singles, 541 in doubles and 528 in team at the NBS this week and increased his career pinfall to 83,111, while Pavlik shot 428 in singles, 401 in doubles and 391 in team, finishing his 50th appearance with a career pinfall total of 77,897.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.